These days, to say that everyone is busy is a big understatement. Much more so, if you are a working mom.
But here’s the good news – you can actually carve out pockets of breathing room in even the craziest day. Whether you use it to care for your kids, to get some more work done, or to pamper yourself, there is so much you can do in those moments of bonus time.
Here are 5 time management strategies for busy working moms like you:
1. Get enough sleep
If you want to thrive and not just survive the hectic life of a working mom, you need to get enough sleep. Sleep deprivation will only make you feel like you’re dragging your feet all day and ultimately lose precious pockets of productivity. Put down a sleep schedule for you and your kids and you’ll find yourself functioning better and getting more things done.
2. Learn to say “no”
We want to be the best parents we can be, but we surely don’t have to attend every single PTA meeting, or hop on chaperone for every field trip. Learning to say “no” may be tough, but it is an important skill to have if you want to free up the time you otherwise wouldn’t have access to. Also, watching you set limits teaches your children the importance of setting boundaries.
3. Establish sane work hours
Before saying yes to any new role, make sure you won’t be required to render work hours beyond what you can actually afford. Many working moms reserve the evenings and weekends exclusively for family. Before committing to any new role, be sure to check your expectations and your potential employer’s are aligned.
4. Don’t multitask
Doing multiple things at once won’t make you finish them faster. People perform better when they are focused on the task at hand. When you’re at work, stop worrying about what to make for dinner, or when you’re helping your child with his spelling test, don’t also be texting with a co-worker for tomorrow’s presentation.
5. Set achievable daily goals
An ambitious to-do list won’t do you any good. Write down realistic, achievable goals every day and just do more if you have time to spare.
What would be even better is to wonder why working dads don’t need help. It’s because, even today, they do not come close to taking on half the parenting and household tasks. So a great tip for working moms (who are not single moms, of course) is to get their spouse to step up and stop being an entitled brat!